The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Microsoft have scheduled for next month the first in a series of meetings to ensure that Microsoft's next operating system, code named Longhorn, will comply with the judgment made against the software company in 2002. Microsoft has already been working with the DOJ to make Windows XP come into compliance with the judgment, but the government has had some complaints about the software company's progress in that area. The scheduled meetings regarding Longhorn are intended to ensure that the judgment details are enacted in the development stages of the OS preparation instead of as an afterthought.

The judgment in question was the result of an antitrust lawsuit brought against the software company by 18 states. The purpose of the lawsuit was to keep Microsoft from becoming too much of a monopoly as a result of the ubiquitous nature of its operating system. Middleware, specifically third-party media players and browsers, was some of the main focus of the lawsuit and settlement, and the courts ruled that Microsoft must make it easier for other companies to develop competitive products that will work seamlessly with the Windows operating system.

JOSHUA'S OPINION
It appears to me that Microsoft is making some genuine efforts to comply with its settlement with the government. It has already released some Windows source code (see our coverage), so these meetings are, in my mind, just one more step in the process. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense for the software giant to comply.

Microsoft is in a position that most companies only dream of being in. It has millions of dollars in cash reserves, the best-selling desktop software on the market, and millions of minions who will never look at Linux or Macintosh. While the company may still run into rough times, the last thing it wants to do is bring the weight of the U.S. Government down on itself for not complying with the settlement the company was so graciously given.

Long term effects of these meetings? I don't expect much. Microsoft will still be adding Internet Explorer and Windows Media player to Longhorn in the U.S., and users will still use them because they come with the system. Other middleware will have a chance, but I don't expect Microsoft to lose lots of marketshare after Longhorn is released.

USER COMMENTS 25 comment(s)

Comply(12:27pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)It does. – by MS Employee

meanwhile(12:55pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)*vladimir looks /away/ from Longhorn as he has no interest in it – by Vladimir

Microsoft's(1:09pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)Longhorn will continue to lead the masses into Bill's plans. Apple will continue to be a niche player and Linux will gain momentum but, no real damage to Microsoft's outlook (no pun intended). – by Jason B.

To be fair(1:13pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)At least Microsoft is trying to be reasonable. I might be a Linux junkie, but if I was in control of so many user's computers, I don't think I'd be so reasonable in inspiring more competition. – by Midas

MS IS a monopoly(1:14pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)MS spends the majority of it's expenses on lobbying. There is no way the DOJ will say anything but ok. MS will continue to break the law as long as there is no punishment for their actions. If Longtime caused the mobo to fry, HD to pit and sent all accounts money to a MS account, millions of IT execs will want it. My return to school has led me to the conclusion that 90% of IT workers are posers. Some of the top highly respected IT exec I've run into repeat whatever the current IT buzz. They generalize in areas where every system is different. – by tech

Longhorn when…(1:15pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)2006, 2008, 2010? By the time it is released and pathched a few times what good will it be? M$ has already stated that they intend to limit many of the advances that have been announced for the initial launch. In my experience you atleast have to wait for the first service pack before the OS is even remotely secure or stable, so by the time it is a quality product, will it already be outdated? – by Toby

Will DOJ make competitors not suck?(1:27pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)OK, this suit was kicked off by Real, whose Realplayer is notorious for having spyware tendencies I won't allow it on my computers. That is why Windows Media Player gained major ground- the competition just isn't that good, and much of it can't be trusted.

This isn't so much about the OS as much as the included components. I wonder what the DOJ would do if Apple ever gained more than a trivial market share- would they lay into them for being a complete monopoly?

Linux is the only OS that is free from the monopoly charge, and even then it isn't for everybody. – by Akula

What?(2:12pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)Microsoft is in a position that most companies only dream of being in. It has millions of dollars in cash reserves, the best-selling desktop software on the market, and millions of minions who will never look at Linux or Macintosh. While the company may still run into rough times, the last thing it wants to do is bring the weight of the U.S. Government down on itself…”

What a load of crap. These sentences could have been written 10 years ago before all this started. Your business ineptitude astounds!

No Company has the luxury of sitting back now that it has achieved what MS has, or else that would ensure its distinction. They have been successful, but they cannot be complacent now as you would suggest.

Now I am not in favor of MS doing anything other than fix its previous mistakes (plenty of work there) but to suggest now that the Company would or should tip toe through life is nonsense. Obviously Joshua is spending to much time in the server room (probably insalling all those patches?) and not enough in the real world. – by Vegimon

“tech” is an idiot(2:30pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)Tech said “MS spends the majority of it's expenses on lobbying”.

Really?? Got any figures to back up that statement? Didn't think so.

Don't like MS? Don't use it. There are plenty of alternatives now (Lindows, oops Linspire, MacOS, BEOS, other Linux flavors, etc)… – by DT

Real world(2:36pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no Linux version of Real player. Maybe we can get DVD Jon to write us one. – by 10101100

It's all poop(3:04pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)Ya i tell you,dis computers are ok and i like them but well,i have a good time on them and all,Theyu are good………….4me2poopOn – by Triumph

MS OS(3:12pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)You always see on these boards alot whinning about Microsoft and there unfair treatment of such and such and how the struggle continues etc etc, Please get a reality check do a little investigation into one of the best orginizations out there anyone here would work for them and tow the comapny line. Sure they have problem,s with there software but try adding a hyundai part to your honda that is basically what everyone wants with a Windows machine an all inclusive never fail Box that is inpenatrable and absolute. Take a look at Linux( Version what ever Kernel hope I got the right one) and Get your drivers loaded (Please! please! be the right one) and tell me that it can do all that windows can. Not that I have anything against Linux or Mac for that matter they are niche products and can control things in a tighter circle of influence. As Mac and Linux whatever brand or version expand into the burrgeoning market of aftermarket parts they will also have the same struggles. – by B.

re: Tech(3:41pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)And how, per se, do you know how much MS spends lobbying. Can we see some figures?Stop pulling figures out of your ass. – by u.r.a. Tool

Nervous, I am(5:13pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)“…products that will work seamlessly with the Windows operating system.”

I hope to God this does not mean MS will provide 3rd part apps the same sort of hooks into the OS that IE and WMP currently have. Doing so would only expose to core OS to more exploits from (potentially) crappily-coded 3rd party apps! – by JRink

huh(10:00pm EST Thu Jan 27 2005)installed windows xp again and removed windows me. i had bad ram that was causing xp displaying the bsod. Even though xp has alot of patching to do it is a better OS than windows98/me/2000. Microsoft needs to play nice with the third party developers. – by bla

MS is the king(10:32am EST Fri Jan 28 2005)MS is on top mainly because there is noe serious alternatives. Linux just won't cut it for most people, Mozilla, Firefox, Realplayer and Quicktime all suck big time. IE and WMP is by far the best stuff out there. NO – not everyone cares about what supports the most things they don't care about, some of us wants something that just works, without any fuzz. – by Just me

MS as the King(12:10pm EST Fri Jan 28 2005)Oh yes i completely agree on that last post InternetExplorer is a great browser,yes its the best.I think its better than all the rest of the browser cause when i surf i can catch spyware like Alexa,gator,avenueA,BillyBobCall,oh yes its a excellent browser over 23,000 different spyware version are compatible with it too !!!…While Firefox well it's just a plain ol new browser not capable of catching all thos wonderfull spywarez–no no i want my IE yes —I want my puter to slow down to a freakin crawl…….. – by Jeeeeeeeeeeez

This sucks(2:48pm EST Fri Jan 28 2005)I WANT them to put a bunch of stuff in my OS. It keeps me from having to go out to buy products that may not fit my needs. At least if their pre-bundle stuff doesn't fit my needs, I didn't pay for it, so no loss. – by iamanut

Yeah(10:17am EST Sat Jan 29 2005)Microsoft software never needs to be patched it's so great. You don't need a firewall or anti-virus software. Bill Gates is the smartest person in the world. He's so smart to write all this software. He always pays alls his taxes and has never done anything wrong. He gives all his money to poor people and never keeps any for himself. It's too bad they never receive any of it. I'm so glad he invented the computer and internet. – by GW Bush

comment(1:43am EST Mon Jan 31 2005)it is to late to come– by shiny

Correct ing 10101100(10:26am EST Mon Jan 31 2005)In response to 10101100's “Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no Linux version of Real player” I can state that there is such a Linux version of Realplayer.